Vergennes General Store Reopens

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[It's as if no one in Vergennes had seen a drop of milk in six years, says Vergennes Mayor Wayne Chapman and Tithdra Longoria-Lipe, the daughter of owners of the newly opened Longhorn Country Store and Cafe on Rt. 127 in Vergennes. "We can't keep milk," she smiles.

Tithdra and her family are natives of West Texas where the longhorn cattle still roam the plains. Tithdra married Daniel Lipe of Du Quoin, an RN nursing student at John A. Logan College. When her parents came to the area to visit, they saw opportunity in the Vergennes store that has been closed for six years.

Since opening a couple of weeks ago the American-Mexican restaurant is seeing "people who don't even know each other" sitting together to dine on some great American and Mexican dishes. In fact, nothing that went onto the cafe's menu has come off for lack of interest.

For decades the general store and gas mart was a watering hole for townspeople and travelers along Rt. 127. It was a signature business for the town like HR?Agri-Power and Doerr Auction Service.

Mayor Chapman says he's glad its back and the town needs to support it. They already are.

The menu is full of some great breakfast, lunch and dinner items. The coolers in the adjacent general store are full of drinks and food items. Some household staples sit on the shelves nearby.

The decor is decidedly West Texas and owners Juan and Sylvia Longoria have never met a stranger. Everyone becomes their friend.

The cafe is open from 6 a.m. until 7 p.m Monday through Saturday and from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Sunday. You can contact the restaurant at (618) 559-7150.

A ribbon-cutting and meals for all in attendance is planned for 5:30 p.m. on Monday.

You won't be disappointed in what you see or the food you sample.